This is a proprietary design, and a patent shall be
applied for in the near future.

A LICENSE (plans included) to construct a railbike in accordance
with these plans may be purchased for $25 (US DOLLARS).

- - [ $25 US Dollars ] - -

- - [ PLUS $2 more ($27) IF: ] - -
you write it on any bank physically located outside the US even if the
account is in US dollars and even if the bank headquarters is in the US.

ALL orders must include your full NAME and ADDRESS (and EMAIL address
if you have one) plus the words 'Railbike Plans'.

In the USA I can 'snail mail' the plans (SLOW), or I can send
them via email as PDFs which print out exactly like the
paper copy (actually better because the few pictures are in color).
Just make sure your printer 'PRINT' window doesn't try to 'resize',
'Expand', or 'Shrink' them.

Outside the USA I send the plans via email as PDFs, but
I still need your full name and address when you order.
If you are outside the USA and must have a paper copy sent by mail,
BEFORE you send any money tell me that you need a paper copy
and I will let you know by return EMAIL if I require additional
money for postage.

In the USA I accept personal checks and money orders made payable to Richard Bentley.
I will even accept cash, but NO CREDIT CARDS.

Outside the USA I accept money orders made payable to Richard Bentley
(in US dollars) or cash.
If you send foreign currency make sure that it is sufficient to
cover exchange rate PLUS a reasonable fee that my bank will charge
me for the transaction. Cash is usually safe in the USA but I am not
responsible if it gets 'lost'.

I accept PAYPAL payments but ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE DEPOSITED
sufficient FUNDS in your PAYPAL ACCOUNT to cover the purchase
OR your PayPal account is linked to your bank account.
And your PAYPAL account MUST be in US DOLLARS.

If you insist on making a PAYPAL payment charged to a
CREDIT or DEBIT card you must send $27 because PAYPAL
charges $2 more for processing such payments.

AND... please follow these INSTRUCTIONS:

You are NOT making a PURCHASE of GOODS or SERVICES, you are
paying for INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
SO, when you click on 'Send Money' in PayPal and after entering
my Email address and the amount of the payment,
please check the button labeled
"I'm sending money to family or friends".

IF you would rather check the button labeled
"I'm paying for goods or services"
then I request that you add an extra
$2 for the fee PayPal shall charge me.

A railbike, sometimes called a 'rail bike', is a standard bicycle with
attachments that allow the bike to be ridden easily along on a railroad track.
Most abandoned railroads are in pretty poor shape. Any good
railbike design must be able to cope with broad flattened
rails, narrow worn rails, and weeds so thick you can't see
the rails.

ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND, you should use railbikes ONLY on ABANDONED lines!!

The attachments to the bicycle consist of a FRONT WHEEL
GUIDE, and an OUTRIGGER to the opposite rail.

The FRONT WHEEL GUIDE attaches to the front wheel axle, and
steers the bike to keep it on the rail. The GUIDE may be
raised off the rail with a small lever mounted on the
handlebar. This makes it possible to ride (SLOWLY!) past
road crossings and other minor obstructions without getting
off the bike.

The OUTRIGGER attaches to the LEFT side of the bicycle frame
at 3 points, and holds a wheel that rides along the opposite
rail. This keeps the railbike from tipping over, so long as
YOU keep your center-of-gravity slightly inboard, on the
OUTRIGGER side of your bike. I mount the OUTRIGGER on the
left so there is no interference with the chain drive.

If you have any choice in the matter, I recommend you choose
a lady's bike. When you are riding your bike along a rail,
you are 7 inches higher off the ground than normal. Most
people do not have an inseam measurement 7 inches greater
than normal. Figure it out!

I also recommend the old style 3-speed bike rather than
those with 5 or 10 speed derailleurs. Grass and weeds tend
to get caught more easily in the latter. I carry along a
short piece of coat hanger wire, and stop at necessary
intervals to clean the vegetation out of the derailleur and
rear sprocket. The old 3-speed shifter does not collect
crud as quickly. A chain guard is also recommended.

These plans represent an evolutionary design. This means
the design was improved over time as new problems came to
light. The design presented here represents the final
version in a succession of better and better designs. I
built my first railbike back in the late 50's. I am not
saying this design cannot be improved. But I will
guarantee, you can make many changes that will cause problems
that will not be apparent until afterwards.

If you are one of those people, like myself, who must
"improve" everything he touches, follow my plans EXACTLY the
first time around. This way you will be able to tell
whether any later "improvements" really make things better.

DO RAILBIKERS HAVE ONE TRACK MINDS?

It would seem so. I have been building and
riding railbikes
here in the Adirondack mountains
of northern NY since the late 50's. There is something about
railbiking that is worlds beyond merely riding a bicycle,
and I love it. My wife loves it. My father loves it.
All my friends love it. What makes RAILBIKING so much fun?

Perhaps the fun comes from doing something wild,
not done by many others. I am sure there is more to it
than just that.

Railbikes are self-steering. You are free to
look around and enjoy. Those iron rails winding off into
the distant unknown can provide hours of delightful
excursion. They often lead through wilderness unexplored
by most. You set the pace, so have plenty of time to soak
up the scenery.

My favorite abandoned railroad goes right past my
home.
In spring everything is coming alive. Summer
brings the wild growth here in the east that can almost
bury an abandoned track. Curious wildlife appear
everywhere. In fall, the colors, and their reflection in
the many lakes and beaver ponds, is almost overpowering.

This is not to say railbiking is without mishap.
Railbikes are mechanical contraptions. Parts loosen, fall
off, or break, as is their nature. Even more exciting, if
I dare use that word, railbikes occasionally 'de-rail'.
This is railbike talk for "the blankity-blank bike came
off the track."

My wife's sister got so carried away looking at
autumn leaves she leaned away from the outrigger. In slow
motion, she fell into the bushes and scratched herself on
a spruce stubble. She got back up with a very foolish
smile on her face. Be careful.

Small trees and bushes growing close to the rail
can snag your foot, jerking the bike off the track.
Sometimes a sudden stop will make the rear wheel skid
right off the rail. You bounce along on the ties, and
come to an ungraceful stop.

A good railbike design will greatly increase
your enjoyment. The quickest way to a happy experience is
to pick a design with a history of success, and go with
it.

The Bentley RAILBIKE is a very good design. No
welding is necessary. My front wheel guide makes use of
side rollers. This gives you precision steering, minimal
friction, and almost no noise. I use a simple handlebar
lever to raise the guide slightly for crossings, or full
up for normal bicycle riding. My adjustable height
outrigger is an extremely rigid geometric structure that
is simple and lightweight. The outrigger has excellent
ground clearance to avoid brush. Pull 3 pins, and the
outrigger comes completely off and folds.

Whether or not you choose the Bentley RAILBIKE
design, welcome to the unique sport of RAILBIKING.

This large format (over 8.5 x 11 inch) hard cover book of 234
pages containing more than 250 photos, over half in full color, is
an absolute delight. I know from the fact that you are looking at
this website, whether you are an armchair or a dedicated railbiker,
that you will completely fall in love with this marvelous book
about Railbiking and Railbikers.

And if you find yourself in the Adirondack Mountains of
upstate NY, be sure you get off the rails long enough to
climb Mount Arab.
It is a relatively short hike to the summit with spectacular views
of the surrounding Adirondack Park.
From the trailhead
off the Mount Arab road you will find it to be an easy
climb on a well maintained trail, even for young kids.
Enjoy the views from the summit, and even better views
from the renovated fire tower. The volunteer organization,
Friends of Mount Arab (FOMA) maintains the trail and facilities
at the summit. FOMA employs a summit steward who is available
during the summer months to answer questions and offer free
entry to the renovated observer's cabin outfitted as a small
museum.
It makes a great destination for a family picnic.
You will even find a 5-star outhouse, but be sure to bring
your own water, and carry down everything you carry up.
You will even score one for the
'Adirondack Fire Tower Challenge'.